Predictive value of microRNA-122 in obesity and metabolic syndrome

Background and aim Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of metabolic dysregulations such as hypertension, insulin resistance, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and central obesity. MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) was the first of the many circulating miRNAs linked to metabolic diseases and obesity. MiR-122 is a liver-enriched miRNA that influences lipid and cholesterol metabolism. This study aims to evaluate the miR-122 function in the obesity’s pathogenesis and to assess the possible association of miRNA-122 with MetS in obese patients. Patients and methods The study included 50 Egyptian individuals (20 healthy persons as control, 15 obese patients without MetS, and 15 obese patients with MetS). The levels of miR-122 were validated using quantitative reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction tests. Results Serum miR-122 demonstrated a highly significant increase in obese patients collectively compared with the control ( P <0.001). Moreover, miR-122 demonstrated upregulation expression in obese cases having MetS compared with controls and the obese without MetS. There were statistically significant strong positive correlations between miR-122 expression and BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, markers of dysglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Also, there were negative correlations with high-density lipoprotein (all having P =<0.001). Conclusion MiR-122 could be a valuable biomarker of obesity’s pathogenesis and MetS in obese patients.